Cynara seeks to advance the harvest of fresh artichokes in Peru and Spain, by continuing to create an effective and non-GMO production chain and ultimately improve the quality of life of their growers and strategic partners. The company has over a 14 year history of working closely with farmers to promote sustainable agriculture, growing practices, and bringing freshly picked and jarred artichokes from field to table. With an optimal climate and nutrient dense soil, Peru and Spain have proven to be the two best cultivators of premium artichokes for the world. Cynara artichokes are processed within 24-48 hours of harvest, in close proximity to the fields in which they are grown. Cynara’s global sourcing capability ensures a consistency in both and quantity and quality throughout the supply chain.

Non-GMO began as a consumer-driven movement in the natural food space and has expanded to conventional brands and households everywhere. Today, even more shoppers are concerned about the detrimental effects of GMOs on health and the environment and are looking for trusted non-GMO foods. Cynara is staying true to the roots of the movement. Cynara’s fully non-GMO product portfolio includes sizes ranging from Florets to Baby and Petite, while most popular are the company’s signature Grilled and Marinated Artichoke Hearts.

How do we arrive at our very own picture of flourishing health, at a place where we can say and truly feel that we are blossoming and thriving? How do we go from mere stress management and coping to feeling vital and fully alive? In a caffeinated world with one demand after another shuttling toward us, it might not seem within our reach.

Each one of us has different needs that can go unmet and we face different sets of demands that seem to hinder us in the process. But despite our individual differences, there are some basic steps that most of us will find helpful in turning the tide toward creativity, vitality and growth. It is a path that Danish author Jesper Bay-Hansen charts in his forthcoming book, The Art of Living Bright: A Path to Empowerment in Your Own Life.

First, we need to get in touch with what we need to maintain our own unique form of balance. This ability requires us to take time out and unplug from the constant stream of external stimulation of modern life. To check in with ourselves, to open our hearts, the flow of emotions and the sensations of our bodies. To reflect while sitting in a place of acknowledgement, acceptance and love. A practice like meditation helps us do all these things.

Meditation also encourages us to maintain inner awareness when we go back into the world, allowing us to feel centered and connected to ourselves in the midst of activity. Self-awareness is essential in being able to shift from an experience of the world as being stressful. We find ourselves in better stead to make choices that nurture and sustain us, that are authentic to us and that in turn allow us to channel our energy in the directions where we feel effective. This also makes us infinitely more capable of achieving our goals. Events become opportunities for creative engagement, expansion and contribution. We find our passion and can connect to something we care about. We turn creative! Next thing you know, we are off and making the world a better place.

Even a major loss can be transformed into something powerfully enlivening and meaningful when we have the tools to experience ourselves in dialogue with it and to maximize its value and role for our development. The event becomes something that helps us clarify our own lives and deepen in our sense of self. Instead of being depleted or needing to protect ourselves from that possibility, we embrace what the world has to offer us and emerge with a real sense of ongoing growth, vitality and strength.

Read an excerpt from Dr. Bay-Hansen’s newest book, for an even bigger picture of what it means to thrive and to live “A Bright Life”.

There are many ways to reap the amazing health benefits of artichokes. While many people’s favorite part is the heart, it is the leaves that contain many of the artichoke’s powerful health benefits.

There are ways to cook an artichoke, such as steaming or braising, so that the entire thing, stem and all, can be consumed. However, even eating just the meat of the leaves and the heart will provide benefits.

Here are 8 reasons to add more artichokes to your diet.

High in Antioxidants

A study done by the USDA found that artichokes have more antioxidants than any other vegetable and they ranked seventh in a study of the antioxidant levels of 1,000 different foods. Some of the powerful antioxidants in artichokes are quercertin, rutin, anthocyanins, cynarin, luteolin, and silymarin.

Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Studies done with artichoke leaf extract have found that they induce apoptosis (cell death) and reduce cell proliferation in many different forms of cancer, including prostate cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer. An Italian study found that a diet rich in the flavanoids present in artichokes reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Increased Bile Flow

The pulp of artichoke leaves contains a polyphenol antioxidant called cynarin which increases bile flow.

Good for the Liver Thanks to cynarin and another antioxidant, silymarin, artichokes are very beneficial to the liver. Studies have found they may even regenerate liver tissue. Artichokes have long been used in folk and alternative medicine as a treatment for liver ailments and the scientific studies are now proving them to be correct.

Better Digestion

Artichokes help the digestive system. They are a natural diuretic, they aid digestion, improve gallbladder function and, as mentioned above, they are of great benefit to the liver.

Hangover Treatment

Thanks to their positive effects on the liver, many people swear by artichokes as a hangover treatment. Instead of the hair of the dog, try the leaves of an artichoke.

Cholesterol Reduction

Ingredients in artichoke leaves have been shown to reduce cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. They raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL).

High in Fiber

One large artichoke contains a quarter of the recommended daily intake of fiber. A medium artichoke has more fiber than a cup of prunes.

Regular exercise can help protect you from heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, obesity, back pain, osteoporosis, and can improve your mood and help you to better manage stress.

For the greatest overall health benefits, experts recommend that you do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week and some type of muscle strengthening activity and stretching at least twice a week. However, if you are unable to do this level of activity, you can gain substantial health benefits by accumulating 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity a day, at least five times a week.

If you have been inactive for a while, you may want to start with less strenuous activities such as walking or swimming at a comfortable pace. Beginning at a slow pace will allow you to become physically fit without straining your body. Once you are in better shape, you can gradually do more strenuous activity.

How Physical Activity Impacts Health

Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States.

Reduces the risk of dying prematurely.

Reduces the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease.

Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.

Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.

Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.

Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.

Helps control weight.

Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.

Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling.

High Blood Pressure. Regular physical activity can reduce blood pressure in those with high blood pressure levels. Physical activity also reduces body fatness, which is associated with high blood pressure.

Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes. By reducing body fatness, physical activity can help to prevent and control this type of diabetes.

Obesity. Physical activity helps to reduce body fat by building or preserving muscle mass and improving the body’s ability to use calories. When physical activity is combined with proper nutrition, it can help control weight and prevent obesity, a major risk factor for many diseases.

Back Pain. By increasing muscle strength and endurance and improving flexibility and posture, regular exercise helps to prevent back pain.

Psychological Effects. Regular physical activity can improve your mood and the way you feel about yourself. Researchers also have found that exercise is likely to reduce depression and anxiety and help you to better manage stress.